Katsina Times | July 21, 2025
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly denied claims circulating on social media that it approved a herbal tea product promoting smoking as a healthy practice.
In a statement released on Monday, NAFDAC described the viral video as misleading and baseless. The product in question, marketed as *Lung Detox Tea* or *Lungitox (Smokers Pride)*, has not been registered or approved by the agency.
“The claims are entirely false and unfounded,” NAFDAC stated, adding that the product was earlier submitted in 2023 to its Lagos State Office but was rejected due to its unscientific and potentially dangerous health claims. The applicant reportedly failed to provide evidence of the product’s safety and efficacy, and the product was never resubmitted for evaluation.
NAFDAC emphasized its role as a science-driven regulator that thoroughly assesses all food, drug, cosmetic, and chemical products for safety, quality, and efficacy. The agency reiterated that it does not approve herbal products that make therapeutic claims without validated clinical trials and forbids packaging that uses imagery of human organs, such as that displayed in the viral video.
Additionally, NAFDAC dismissed accusations of financial inducement linked to the alleged approval as baseless and defamatory. It warned that its Legal Services Directorate is reviewing the statements and may take legal action.
The agency urged the public to disregard the misleading video and report suspicious products via its website
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the health and safety of all Nigerians.
